Luck outshines Griffin, but Redskins win 30-17

LANDOVER, Md. -- Andrew Luck threw for more than twice as many yards, but Robert Griffin III had the edge where it counted when each departed the much-ballyhooed preseason matchup of the top two choices in the 2012 NFL draft: on the scoreboard where Washington led Indianapolis by a touchdown.

The Redskins went on to beat the Colts 30-17 to improve to 2-1 while the visitors slipped to 1-2 in front of an announced crowd of 60,047 at damp FedEx Field.

Removed after one series in the third quarter, No. 1 overall pick Luck completed 14 of 23 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown for a 94.7 passer rating. No. 2 overall selection Griffin, who also played just one series after halftime, completed 11 of 14 passes for 73 yards and a touchdown for a 93.8 rating.

"Me and Andrew told each other to tell our parents that we said hey and to have good seasons," Griffin said of their brief postgame meeting. "I thought he did a good job out there as well. They blew this up as a head-to-head (showdown). It does come with the territory. It's going to be there our entire careers."

The Redskins and Colts won't meet in the regular season until Griffin and Luck are in their fourth years so for now, it's RGIII 1, Luck 0.

"I thought Robert did a good job," said Redskins coach Mike Shanahan. "He keeps on getting better and better, more comfortable with the system."

Griffin finished his first NFL preseason with a 114.1 rating on 20 of 28 passing for 193 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Heisman Trophy winner from Baylor's longest completion, however was just 20 yards. Griffin won't play in Wednesday's preseason finale against Tampa Bay so his next action will come in the Sept. 9 regular season opener at New Orleans.

"If we're going to finish (preseason) with this performance, I thought that was a great way to finish it," Griffin said.

While Griffin and Luck were depicted on T-shirts selling for $35 at the stadium, Redskins running back Alfred Morris was the true standout rookie. The sixth-rounder from Florida Atlantic carried 14 times for 107 yards and a touchdown while making an unexpected push to open the season as the starter in the absence of the injured Roy Helu and Evan Royster.

"(Alfred) had a heck of a game," said Shanahan, whose banged-up backfield did welcome back the third man who started some in 2011, Tim Hightower. "He has taken advantage of his reps. We're going to see who's healthy. He may be the lonely soldier at the end the way things have been going."

Things didn't go well early for Griffin. He overthrew former Colts receiver Pierre Garcon on a deep route on the first snap. Two plays later, Griffin scrambled and picked up the first down. However on the subsequent play on third-and-1 at the Indianapolis 47, linebacker Jerrell Freeman blitzed up the middle untouched, forcing Griffin to throw the ball away.

In contrast, Luck found receiver Donnie Avery for nine on third-and-8 on his first third down. Donald Brown ran for two on the ensuing third-and-1, but a clipping penalty then backed the Colts up 15 yards, effectively ending that series.

After Morris gave the Redskins a subsequent third-and-1, Griffin again threw too deep for Garcon. Washington's defense asserted itself on the ensuing series with linebacker London Fletcher and end Stephen Bowen each sacking Luck.

Griffin and the Redskins' offense followed that defensive stand with their first good drive. Garcon and fellow receiver Josh Morgan made nice catches over the middle for first downs, but Morris was the star, running five times for 33 yards including the 2-yard burst that made it 7-0 just 1:56 into the second quarter.

Luck and the Colts responded with an 11-play, 80-yard touchdown march that he finished with a gorgeous 31-yard strike to fellow rookie T.Y. Hilton.

"A great route by T.Y.," said Luck, whose status for Indianapolis' preseason finale Thursday against Cincinnati is unsure."He made a great move on the out and getting up the sideline and thankfully I didn't miss him.

In the tit-for-tat between the rookies, Griffin answered with a 12-play, 80-yard drive that he concluded with a 4-yard scoring toss to receiver Santana Moss to put the Redskins back on top 14-7 with 1:09 left in the first half.

Washington extended its advantage to 16-7 when reserve linebacker Chris Wilson sacked rookie Chandler Harnish in the end zone for a safety with 8:51 left in the third quarter. Rex Grossman's touchdown passes of 13 yards to Morgan and 12 to receiver Dezmon Briscoe sandwiched Adam Vinatieri's 28-yard field goal before Darren Evans' 2-yard run drew the Colts within 30-17 with 3:48 remaining.